We may earn an affiliate commission when you visit our partners.
Course image
Steve Ahn

Finance is one of the key ingredients for successful startups. Many entrepreneurs, however, lack knowledge of finance. This course teaches basic financial knowledge needed in starting and operating startups to entrepreneurs or would-be entrepreneurs who did not major in finance. Students of this course will learn to read and understand financial statements such as balance sheets, income statements and cash flow statements. They will also practice simple financial planning of a startup. This course also covers the concept company valuation as well as how startups get funding. This is a practical course aimed at direct application of the knowledge gained into running real startups. It also aims to enable entrepreneurs and would-be-entrepreneurs to understand the "language of finance" so that they can talk to professionals with confidence.

Enroll now

Two deals to help you save

We found two deals and offers that may be relevant to this course.
Save money when you learn. All coupon codes, vouchers, and discounts are applied automatically unless otherwise noted.

What's inside

Syllabus

Balance sheet and Income statement
We begin to learn startup finance by learning two fundamental financial statements, balance sheet and income statement.
Read more
Cash flow statement and financial ratios
You will learn why cash is king! Let's practice financial ratios with real company data.
Financial planning and funding
Financial planning of a startup and seeking funding from outside investors.
VC term sheet and valuation
To understand the contents of a term sheet and the company valuation methods.

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Starts with balance sheet and income statement, the most fundamental financial statements
Develops and teaches practical and real-world financial planning for startups
Touches on financial ratios and cashflow statements, both essential for startups
Covers venture capital term sheets, demystifying the funding process
Covers a variety of startup finance topics, from financial planning to funding
May be too basic for experienced finance professionals

Save this course

Save Finance for Startups to your list so you can find it easily later:
Save

Reviews summary

Finance for founders

Learners say that this course is excellent for start-up founders who wish to gain a basic understanding of financial terms and financial statements. Students remark that the lectures are well-paced, simple to understand, and well-organized. Many students mention that they enjoyed and understood the practical examples that were provided during the course. As a whole, this well-received course is highly recommended for entrepreneurs and startup founders in need of a finance refresher or introduction.
The course offers practical exercises and assignments to help students develop their financial skills.
"Good course to understand all the basics. Especially I like that all question in Tests are practical. You need to sit down and calculate. It really helps to learn the material and not just repeat what has been said during the lectures."
The instructor, Steve Ahn, is skilled at explaining concepts in a simple and understandable manner.
"Thank you for the master's explanations, which were simple and understandable"
"Steve Ahn's very simple but rich way of explanations of the subject reminds me quote from Richard Feynman :" If you can't explain it to a six year old, you don't understand it yourself ." Ahn knows the Finance and explains it to you.Thank you Ahn."
This course is generally informative and helpful.
"The course is excellent ! it teaches you very important fundamentals of financing in general and startups in particular."
"A must for Start Up EntrepreneursExcellent course"
"Learned a lot! Will use this skill to create my own start-up! "
"This course was very insightful. I'll recommend it as a must for first-time founders."
Some students may find that the lectures are too short.
"Short Video. Not worth the money at all"
Students who are new to finance may find the material to be difficult at times due to assumed knowledge.
"the course was not good enough for many people like me, i expected a lot from this course but the explaining of many things was not satisfied, esspecially the 3rd week, i didn't got anyting but i used Youtube many times to understand many terms that the profesor haven't explained well, but in the end i needed the course and it gave me many new information in finance, and it was a good challenge for me to finish it, thank you COURSERA and big thanks to the professor so much."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Finance for Startups with these activities:
Review Foundational Finance
Start by reading and understanding financial concepts to ensure you have a strong foundation in finance before jumping into this course.
Show steps
  • Read the introduction and Chapter 1 of the book.
  • Complete the practice questions at the end of the chapter.
  • Summarize the key concepts discussed in the chapter.
Explore Online Financial Modeling Tools
Enhance your financial modeling skills by exploring online tutorials and resources to improve your proficiency in financial analysis.
Browse courses on Financial Modeling
Show steps
  • Identify online tutorials or courses on financial modeling tools.
  • Follow the tutorials and complete the exercises.
  • Apply the techniques you learn to a real-world startup case study.
Organize Course Materials
Stay organized by compiling and reviewing course materials regularly to enhance your understanding and retention of the concepts.
Show steps
  • Create a dedicated folder or notebook for course materials.
  • Organize materials by topic or module.
  • Review materials regularly to reinforce learning.
Three other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all six activities
Balance Sheet and Income Statement Analysis
Practice analyzing balance sheets and income statements to understand how startups present their financial position and performance.
Browse courses on Balance Sheet
Show steps
  • Gather balance sheets and income statements from real startup companies.
  • Identify the key components of each financial statement.
  • Calculate important financial ratios to assess the company's financial health.
  • Write a brief report summarizing your findings.
Startup Financial Plan
Develop a financial plan for a potential startup to apply the financial principles learned in this course.
Browse courses on Financial Planning
Show steps
  • Define the startup's business model and revenue streams.
  • Estimate the startup's expenses and costs.
  • Create financial projections for the first three years of operation.
  • Analyze the financial feasibility of the startup.
Mentor a Student Entrepreneur
Share your knowledge and skills by mentoring a student entrepreneur who is starting their own business.
Browse courses on Mentoring
Show steps
  • Identify a student entrepreneur who you can mentor.
  • Meet regularly with the student to provide guidance and support.
  • Share your insights on finance and business development.
  • Provide feedback and encouragement to the student.

Career center

Learners who complete Finance for Startups will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Investment Banker
Investment Bankers provide advice to corporations, governments, and other institutions on capital raising, mergers, acquisitions, and other financial transactions. An understanding of financial statements and company valuation methods, as taught in this course, are key requirements for success in this role.
Financial Analyst
Financial Analysts use their knowledge of finance in order to provide recommendations to businesses regarding investments, management, and financial planning. They evaluate the financial health and risk associated with a company in order to make the best possible decisions. You may find the module on financial planning from this course to be helpful.
Portfolio Manager
Portfolio Managers oversee the investment portfolios of individuals or institutions. They use their knowledge of finance to make investment decisions and manage risk. This course provides a solid foundation in financial analysis techniques and portfolio management strategies.
Venture Capitalist
Venture Capitalists provide funding to early-stage, high-growth companies. They evaluate the financial health and potential of a company before making an investment. The modules on financial planning and company valuation can be valuable to those wishing to pursue a profession in this field.
Financial Advisor
Financial Advisors provide financial advice to individuals and families. They help clients with a variety of financial planning needs, such as retirement planning, estate planning, and investment management. This course covers the basics of financial planning and provides an understanding of the financial products available to investors.
Risk Analyst
Risk Analysts identify and assess risks to businesses. They develop and implement strategies to mitigate these risks. This course provides a solid foundation in financial analysis and risk management that may be helpful for those who wish to pursue a career as a risk analyst.
Financial Planner
Financial Planners help clients develop and implement financial plans. They provide advice on a variety of topics, including budgeting, saving, investing, and retirement planning. This course provides the foundational knowledge of finance that is essential for success in this role.
Credit Analyst
Credit Analysts evaluate the creditworthiness of borrowers. They analyze financial data and make recommendations on whether or not to extend credit. This course provides a solid foundation in financial analysis and may be helpful for those who wish to pursue a career as a credit analyst.
Auditor
Auditors examine the financial records of organizations to ensure that they are accurate and comply with applicable laws and regulations. This course provides the foundational knowledge of finance that is essential for success in this role.
Tax Accountant
Tax Accountants prepare and file tax returns for individuals and businesses. They also provide advice on tax planning strategies. This course may be helpful for those who wish to pursue a career in tax accounting, as it provides a basic understanding of financial accounting and taxation.
Quantitative Analyst
Quantitative Analysts use mathematical and statistical models to analyze financial data. They develop and implement trading strategies for investment firms. This course provides a strong foundation in financial data analysis and modeling that may be helpful for those who wish to pursue a career as a quantitative analyst.
Budget Analyst
Budget Analysts help organizations plan and manage their finances. They analyze financial data, develop financial plans, and monitor financial performance. This course provides the foundational knowledge of finance that is essential for success in this role.
Management Consultant
Management Consultants provide advice to businesses on a variety of topics, including finance, strategy, and operations. This course provides a broad overview of finance and may be helpful for those who wish to pursue a career in management consulting.
Data Analyst
Data Analysts use data to solve business problems. They collect, analyze, and interpret data to identify trends and patterns. This course provides a foundation in financial data analysis that may be helpful for those who wish to pursue a career as a data analyst.

Reading list

We've selected 13 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Finance for Startups.
Introduces the concept of the lean startup, which customer-centric approach to building a successful business. It must-read for entrepreneurs who want to learn how to validate their ideas and build a profitable company.
Explains why large companies often fail to innovate. It valuable resource for entrepreneurs who want to understand the challenges of incumbency and build a disruptive business.
Provides a simple framework for developing a good strategy. It valuable resource for entrepreneurs who want to learn how to think strategically and make better decisions.
Provides a roadmap for marketing and selling technology products to mainstream customers. It valuable resource for entrepreneurs who want to learn how to cross the chasm and build a successful business.
Provides a comprehensive guide to building a startup. It valuable resource for entrepreneurs who want to learn everything they need to know about starting and running a successful business.
This ancient Chinese military treatise provides valuable insights into the principles of strategy and competition. It valuable resource for entrepreneurs who want to learn how to outmaneuver their competitors and achieve success.
Provides a classic guide to understanding the challenges of running a small business. It valuable resource for entrepreneurs who want to learn how to avoid the common pitfalls and build a successful company.

Share

Help others find this course page by sharing it with your friends and followers:

Similar courses

Here are nine courses similar to Finance for Startups.
Financial Accounting
Most relevant
The Complete Introduction To Accounting and Finance
Most relevant
Start-up financial modeling for non-finance professionals
Most relevant
Crash Course on Capital Structuring Techniques
Most relevant
Financial Reporting with Power BI: Basic Financial...
Most relevant
Financial Accounting
Most relevant
Financial Modeling for Startups & Small Businesses
Most relevant
Accounting for Decision-Making
Most relevant
S202: Principles of Finan
Most relevant
Our mission

OpenCourser helps millions of learners each year. People visit us to learn workspace skills, ace their exams, and nurture their curiosity.

Our extensive catalog contains over 50,000 courses and twice as many books. Browse by search, by topic, or even by career interests. We'll match you to the right resources quickly.

Find this site helpful? Tell a friend about us.

Affiliate disclosure

We're supported by our community of learners. When you purchase or subscribe to courses and programs or purchase books, we may earn a commission from our partners.

Your purchases help us maintain our catalog and keep our servers humming without ads.

Thank you for supporting OpenCourser.

© 2016 - 2024 OpenCourser